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L Reshef

Publications and source records attributed to L Reshef.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Developmental expression and modification of genes.

Differentiating tissue is characterized by a specific repertoire of proteins out of which some are developmentally controlled. This review describes modifications in the structure of genes which encode developmentally regulated proteins. Evidence is provided for changes in chromatin conformation and DNA methylation of specific genes-either change can be observed in various stages of some vertebrates. The involvement of hormones in regulating DNA modifications is suggested, and interrelationships between DNA modifications and gene expression are discussed.

5-Methylcytosine↗
PubMed1986

Direct introduction of genes into rats and expression of the genes.

A method of introducing actively expressed genes into intact mammals is described. DNA precipitated with calcium phosphate has been injected intraperitoneally into newborn rats. The injected genes have been taken up and expressed by the animal tissues. To examine the generality of the method we have injected newborn rats with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase prokaryotic gene fused with various viral and cellular gene promoters and the gene for hepatitis B surface antigen, and we observed appearance of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity and hepatitis B surface antigen in liver and spleen. In addition, administration of genes coding for hormones (insulin or growth hormone) resulted in their expression.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1985

Tissue-specific hypomethylation and expression of rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene induced by in vivo treatment of fetuses and neonates with 5-azacytidine.

Rat fetuses of 17-19-day gestation were injected in utero with 5-azacytidine (two to three daily injections of 40 micrograms/fetus). Neonates were injected with seven daily injections (1 mg/kg). DNA samples were isolated from the fetal and neonatal livers and neonatal spleen and subjected to analysis of their methylation status. Overall methylation was analyzed by the nearest-neighbor analysis (at CpG sites) and the pattern of methylation at CCGG sites by Southern blot analysis using phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) sequences as probes. While DNAs from the liver and spleen undergo hypomethylation to the same extent in response to the 5-azacytidine treatment, the changes in the methylation patterns of the PEPCK gene in the two tissues are strikingly different. The changes observed indicate that a decrease in the methylase activity (inhibition by 5-azacytidine) results in site- and tissue-specific hypomethylation. The tissue-specific changes in the methylation pattern are associated with a tissue-specific expression of the PEPCK gene. Although the gene is hypomethylated by azacytidine in both liver and spleen, it is expressed only in the liver. The expression of already active genes (PEPCK in the kidney and albumin in the liver) is not further enhanced by the drug.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Conservation from rat to human of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the control of its gene expression.

Structural conservation of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase protein and mRNA sequence was found in all species examined from rodents to human. The mitochondrial isoenzyme, in all species tested, represents a distinct protein. Moreover, irrespective of the ratio of cytosolic to mitochondrial isoenzyme, cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in the human as in the rat is controlled at the level of gene expression and through the same multiple hormonal stimulation. This evolutionary conservation of the cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase structure and mode of regulation supports the enzymes' physiological importance in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Sequential changes in DNA methylation patterns of the rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene during development.

The cytosolic phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase [PEPCK; GTP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.32] gene was isolated from a rat genomic library, and a map of the methylatable sites C-C-G-G and G-C-G-C has been constructed. The extent of methylation of 18 sites in the PEPCK gene in adult liver, kidney, spleen, and heart muscle and in fetal liver has been analyzed using the 5-methylcytosine sensitive enzymes Hpa II and Hha I. This analysis revealed extensive undermethylation of the PEPCK gene in the adult liver and kidney (PEPCK-expressing tissue), whereas the gene in adult spleen and heart muscle as well as in fetal liver (PEPCK-nonexpressing tissues) was heavily methylated. However, unlike the gene in the adult nonexpressing tissues, a region in the middle of the gene was found to be partially hypomethylated in fetal liver. This hypomethylation correlates with the competence of the fetal liver gene to be expressed. Treatment of fetuses by in utero injection of 5-azacytidine causes a hypomethylation-associated activation of the PEPCK gene. Taken together, the present findings suggest a sequential loss of methyl groups during development. When related to PEPCK gene expression, the sequential loss of methyl groups demonstrates an early stage prior to transcription characterized by hypomethylation of discrete sites and a later developmental hypomethylation of all sites associated with the mature active PEPCK gene around the time of birth.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Primary activation of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in fetal rat liver and the biogenesis of its mRNA.

The primary appearance of phosphoenolpyruvate (P-pyruvate) carboxykinase RNA transcripts in fetal liver was induced by a number of different stimulii . This may occur as rapidly as an hour after injection in utero of N6,O2'-dibutyryl-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) to fetuses, suggesting that all stimulii predominantly affect activation of the P-pyruvate carboxykinase gene. Bt2cAMP treatment induces the appearance of the enzyme RNA transcripts, predominantly of the mature type in the cytoplasm. However, insulin deficiency by streptozotocin treatment causes the appearance of large-size as well as mature mRNA in the nucleus, in addition to the appearance of P-pyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in the cytoplasm. Insulin treatment of such diabetic fetuses, prior to causing the disappearance of P-pyruvate carboxykinase mRNA, reduces nuclear transcripts but increases the abundance of mature cytoplasmic enzyme mRNA. Bt2cAMP treatment of insulin-deficient fetuses causes an additive effect, increasing the abundance of not only the mature but the large P-pyruvate carboxykinase RNA transcripts as well. The results are best interpreted as insulin acting both to inhibit transcription of and accelerate post-transcriptional processes affecting P-pyruvate carboxykinase RNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Control of the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the level of its mRNA in livers of newborn rats. Effect of diabetes, glucose load and glucocorticoids.

Streptozotocin treatment produces a typical experimental diabetes in neonates exhibiting hyperglycemia, glucosuria, ketonemia and increased level of fatty acids in the blood. The liver is affected as well, with reduced activity of glycogen synthase and a corresponding decrease in the content of liver glycogen. In contrast, the activity of liver cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the level of its mRNA are not affected. Using a cDNA containing P-pyruvate carboxykinase sequence, the relative abundance of the enzyme mRNA was estimated. The level of the mRNA was readily observed increasing by glucocorticoid treatment or decreasing in response to administered load of glucose. These parallel the changes observed in the activity of the enzyme under these treatments, indicating that the level of P-pyruvate carboxykinase mRNA actually determines that of the enzyme. The failure of diabetes to increase the level of enzyme mRNA and the limited response to glucose loading strongly suggest that the mechanisms controlling the level of P-pyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in neonates are relatively resistant to insulin. This is unique to neonates, since in both the adult and the fetal liver. P-pyruvate carboxykinase readily responds to insulin. The minimal levels of glucocorticoids characteristic of neonates may be associated with this phenomenon.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Premature appearance of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in fetal rats, not mediated by adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate.

Injection of streptozotocin in utero to fetuses elicited a premature appearance of cytosolic hepatic activity of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase. This was due to a precocious initiation of the synthesis of the enzyme. The streptozotocin-induced appearance of enzyme activity was not mediated by adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate since the concentration of the cyclic nucleotide in the liver was unaffected by the antibiotic, the administration of dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-monophosphate to streptozotocin-treated fetuses elicited an additive increase in enzyme activity, and insulin administration in utero repressed the streptozotocin effect while the effect due to dibutyryladenosine 3':5'-monophosphate was not inhibited by simultaneous insulin injection. Streptozotocin treatment also caused a small but consistent retardation of fetal growth and a marked reduction of liver wet weight. Histological analysis of the liver demonstrated a premature loss of some hematopoietic elements, while hepatocytes appeared normal. Hepatic protein synthesis was unaffected by the streptozotocin treatment. Streptozotocin treatment had no effect on fetal renal phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase activity or kidney wet weight.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Effect of triamcinolone on renal and hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in the newborn rat. Changes in the rate of synthesis of the enzyme and in the activity of its translatable messenger RNA.

The effects of triamcinolone on renal and hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in the developing rat were investigated. The hormone induced increases in pre-existing enzyme activity of both tissues in fetal and neonatal rats, yet did not cause the primary appearance of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in utero. Neonatal hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was increased 2--3 fold by triamcinolone form the 3rd to the 15th postnatal day. This was shown to be additive to the effect of Bt2cAMP on enzyme activity. The increases in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity were demonstrated to be due to increased synthesis of the enzyme, which was accompanied by a proportionate increase in the amount of functional phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA, as measured by the polyribosomal and poly(A)-containing RNA directed cell-free synthesis of the enzyme. The demonstration of a triamcinolone effect on kidney and liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in fetal and neonatal rats provides support for a possible role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity during development.

Aging↗
PubMed1976

Regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) in adipose tissue in vivo by glucocorticoids and insulin.

1. The regulation of the synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) in epididymal adipose tissue, liver and kidney in vivo was studied immunochemically. 2. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) synthesis in adipose tissue is increased by starvation, diabetes and noradrenaline, and decreased by re-feeding and insulin. These changes were also seen in adrenalectomized rats and are qualitatively similar to those observed for the liver enzyme. This indicates the involvement of cyclic AMP as an inducer and insulin as a de-inducer in the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) in both tissues. (Induction and de-induction are defined as selective increase and decrease respectively in the rate of enzyme synthesis, regardless of the mechanism involved.)3. Adrenalectomy had little effect on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) synthesis in liver and kidney, but increased the synthesis rate of the adipose-tissue enzyme. Starvation and adrenalectomy had additive effects in increasing the synthesis rate of adipose-tissue phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP). In adrenalectomized diabetic rats glucocorticoids increased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) synthesis in liver and kidney while decreasing enzyme synthesis in adipose tissue. De-induction of adipose tissue phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) is therefore regulated independently by glucocorticoids and insulin. 4. Although liver, kidney and adipose-tissue phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinases (GTP) are seemingly identical, there is an apparent tissue-specific differentiation in regulatory systems for the enzyme.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

The effect of insulin and glucocorticoids on the synthesis and degradation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) in rat adipose tissue cultured in vitro.

1. Epididymal adipose tissue from the rat was maintained in culture for periods of up to 96h. 2. After an initial decrease in protein synthesis during the first 24h of culture, the adipose tissue recovered its capacity to synthesize and accumulate proteins of a relatively large size. 3. The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase decreased in a parallel manner, but increased again after 24h of incubation of the tissue in culture, to a value twice that noted in the tissue in vivo. This increase in enzyme activity was due to an increase in its rate of synthesis. 4. Both insulin and dexamethasone (9alpha-fluoro-16alpha-methyl-11beta,17,-21-trihydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione) inhibited phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase synthesis, but dexamethasone also decreased total protein synthesis. 5. The half-life of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in adipose tissue cultured in vitro was 5--7h and was not altered by insulin or dexamethasone. 6. It is concluded that both insulin and glucocroticoids lower the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in rat adipose tissue by decreasing its rate of synthesis.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Partial isolation and translation in vitro of messenger ribonucleic acid for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (guanosine triphosphate).

1. mRNA was extracted from the livers of starved rats and incubated in a heterologous cell-free protein-synthesizing system derived from rabbit reticulocytes. The presence of newly synthesized phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) was detected by immunoprecipitation with a specific antibody to the enzyme and analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. 2. The synthesis of the enzyme was dependent on the addition of rat liver RNA, whereas RNA isolated from rat spleen was inactive. If ovalbumin and anti-ovalbumin were used to form the immunoprecipitates, no radioactivity that migrated as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was detected. 3. The optimal concentrations of magnesium acetate and KCl for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase synthesis were determined. 4. When polyribosomal RNA was separated by sucrose-gradient centrifugation, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA migrated between 20 and 26 S in keeping with the high mol. wt. of the protein (85 000). 5. The presence of poly(A) in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA was suggested by retention of mRNA activity on oligo(dT)-cellulose columns. 6. It was concluded that the cell-free synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase can serve as a bioassay for intracellular phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Effects of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, dexamethasone and insulin on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase synthesis in Reuber H-35 hepatoma cells.

Antiserum prepared against rat liver cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) is shown to specifically precipitate the enzyme from Reuber H-35 cells. Synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, as measured immunochemically, is increased by dibutyryl cAMP and dexamethasone, the nucleotide maximally producing a sixfold and the glucocorticoid a threefold change in rate. Studies with actinomycin D, cordycepin, and cycloheximide suggest dibutyryl cAMP acts at a translational or post-transcriptional site. Insulin prevents the increase in synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase produced by either dibutyryl cAMP or dexamethasone. This antagonism is concentration dependent and does not require the simultaneous presence of glucose, pointing to a direct effect of the hormone on liver enzyme induction. It is suggested that hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity is regulated predominantly by the antagonistic interaction of cAMP (glucagon) and insulin on enzyme synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Properties of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (guanosine triphosphate) synthesized in hepatoma cells in the presence of amino acid analogues.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) was induced by a combination of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, theophyline and dexamethasone in Reuber H35 hepatoma cells under conditions where an amino acid in the medium was replaced by an appropriate analogue. 2. With canavanine replacing arginine or with 5-fluorotryptophan or 6-fluorotryptophan replacing tryptophan the induced enzyme had a lower catalytic activity-relative to antibody reactivity. 3. These aberrant enzyme molecules were heat-labile in vitro. 4. Measurements of enzyme degradation in vivo indicated that the canavanine-containing enzyme and the 6-fluorotryptophan-containing enzyme were degraded more rapidly than the enzyme containing all natural amino acids.

Amino Acids↗